Yeah you could be right. Although the original advert had set dates for the next stages (30/31st March for psychometric and week commencing 5th April for Medicals) and the qualified job advert went out a week or so after the trainee one so I’d imagine they already had the qualified drivers jobs planned before putting out trainee ones. Just a waiting game I suppose.
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Grand Central - Trainee Train Drivers (Various)
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Driver068
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Fair enough lol
66787
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I haven’t heard anything, nor has a colleague of mine. However, he did say that he was aware of interviews taking place so I suspect @Daggers84 theory to be correct
secretsquirels
On Moderation
Anyone get an email today?
Yeah I received one. Do you think it means they’re working on interview dates? Last paragraph confused me a little
Col78
Member
Yeah, I received the same email saying that I had "met the required benchmark" and that they would be in touch with dates for the next stage.
From some details I saw prior to application, am I right in thinking that the next stage is interview, followed by Psychometric Testing on 30/31 March and then safety critical medical week commencing 5 April with a view to starting in role 26 April? That's some quick process but I hope that it's still correct for those still in the mix!
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Col78
Member
Nope, I've heard nothing since the email saying I was through the initial application stage.
I'm a bit confused with when to expect the next stage tbh. I saw the very specific dates about when the psychometric tests would be (which were seemingly after the interview) but they were scheduled for this week. But then on the other hand the email said that they would be in touch when they had arranged dates for the next stage and they could hold our applications for up to 12 months.
I'm just sitting tight and hoping to hear something sooner rather than later but with an understanding that that might not be for quite some time too!
secretsquirels
On Moderation
With the qualified position having closed this week, it’s wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to presume that they are sifting to see if any/how many qualified drivers meet their standard, before deciding how many/if any trainees they need.
scouseyb123
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Doubt there’ll many qualifieds foolhardy enough in this day and age to make such a risky move.
Matthewroyal
New Member
Hi new to this, has anyone heard anything regarding interview dates or psychometric dates? Tia
DriverEight
Member
There's a thread on here about recruitment timescales, and it's obvious from it that becoming a train driver is a painfully slow process. When Grand Central put up the ad for trainee drivers, the view seemed to be that the April start date they stated was wildly ambitious and never likely to be achieved. As far as I can tell, 6 months from application to start date would be quite quick, 12 - 18 months during covid seems about average and 3 years is the longest I've heard. Remember, many thousands of people apply for theses jobs. A news story in The Chronicle from 2016 reported that when Virgin trains advertised for trainee drivers, 15,000 people applied. It takes a long time to process that many applications. When people do get invited for interviews, it'll definitely pop up here
Col78
Member
Hi Matthew. Nope, I've heard nothing yet. I keep checking on here daily to see if anyone else has posted anything! My fixed term contract in my current job expires on 31 May so whilst I know that there is no guarantee here, it is a little bit of hope! But the 'openendedness' is killing me!!
I will post on here as soon as I hear anything - hopefully others will do the same so that we all have an idea when there is any movement!
Matthewroyal
New Member
Thanks for the reply, just wondering what sort of stuff you've been looking into for the interviews?
Driver068
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I have noticed this thread has gone quiet of late. Has anyone been successful progressing through to the next stage. I was aware the course date was allegedly due to start on the 26th April which is fast approaching. So i wondered if anyone has been updated??
Col78
Member
Hi there. Nope, still nothing heard at this end. Think it's probably going to be a long waiting game.
Hi everyone, I've just had a brief telephone interview for this position. I've got no experience within the industry but looking at driver's positions. How stable are GC as a company?
Although my job at the moment won't pay as much as a train driver, it's public sector and stable. I'm trying to work out the risk/benefits of a potential move. Thanks.
Although my job at the moment won't pay as much as a train driver, it's public sector and stable. I'm trying to work out the risk/benefits of a potential move. Thanks.
Driver068
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May i ask which depot.
There are more risk with a OAO to the fact that they could close the buisness as such where the likes of Northern amd LNER would end up being run by the government to a degree.
But saying that for someone breaking i to the industry i would recommend it.
Also i imaging GC will be in a decent position and managing by post covid19 pandemic as in my opinion they have survived covid and the future looking promising for them.
Good luck
There are more risk with a OAO to the fact that they could close the buisness as such where the likes of Northern amd LNER would end up being run by the government to a degree.
But saying that for someone breaking i to the industry i would recommend it.
Also i imaging GC will be in a decent position and managing by post covid19 pandemic as in my opinion they have survived covid and the future looking promising for them.
Good luck
Col78
Member
Oooh interesting. Fingers crossed things might be starting to move again.
It's a good point you raise about stability. I applied in Feb when I was employed on a fixed term contract which ended at the end of May. I've now started a new job this week which is a permanent post but as with you, my salary is a fraction of what a train driver pays. Be interesting to hear what others think in terms of pros & cons.
Keep us updated with you progress!!
For the Sunderland depot,
(again assuming I'm lucky for the position as I appreciate it's extremely competitive)
If things go south, as a qualified driver, how easy would it be to find another position?
Driver068
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Its difficult to say.
If you look at the drivers that were taken on for the Blackpool service that when it was shelved the traincrew lost their jobs however found employment else where within the rail indusrty with their respective roles.
Again its difficult to say what if, especially in light of the last 12 months. I would like to think that being part on a union it would help you in finding alternative employment. I know for 2 driverd that have worked for a OAO in the past where their positions as Qualified drivers were no longer available but the unions and company actively helped resolve alternate employment.
However this is not a gurantee and it is also an opinion of my self.
There will always be a risk with employment with a OAO and we dont know what the future may hold but thats for the industry as a whole.
Dont think about worse case scenario. Concentrate on your application, interview and medicals as such. With the hope of being successful take every day as it comes, as with all training courses. Im sure there will be nothing to worry about with this.
When did you have your interview and when may you find out if successful. Surly a cpurse maybe pending soon???
secretsquirels
On Moderation
Anyone hear back from this? Heard a colleague of mine is having an interview next week
GemGem
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A friend of mine had an interview on Friday
Driver068
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May i ask for which depot and how did he/she fair.
Im not a potential trainee and im a Qualified driver already. Just curious as i know alot on here have been waiting since feb with no news
Cheers
GemGem
Member
For Bradford and hasn’t heard yet but was told midweek for an answer
secretsquirels
On Moderation
Apparently the same was said of Sunderland.
secretsquirels
On Moderation
Anyone heard?
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